Vinyl pressings
by Stanley Clarke/George Duke · 1981
Sweet Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
ZSS-168140-1D [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.A side runout - variant 1
ZSS-168141-1D [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.B side runout - variant 1
ZSS-168140-1E [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.A side runout - variant 2
ZSS-168141-1F [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.B side runout - variant 2
T ZSS-168140-1F [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. TIIIA runout
T ZSS-168141-1E [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. TIB runout
ZSS 168140A label
ZSS 168141B label
1S ZSS-168140-1A [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.A runout etch
1S ZSS-168141-1E [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.B runout etch
ZSS 168140A label
ZSS 168141B label
ZSS 168140Matrix, Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Epic 46501First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic 19-01052First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Epic 19-01052First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07･5P-139First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES 633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Philippines | CBS S-1364-EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Epic EN 5233First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Epic 19-01052First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 19-01052First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 19-01052First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Epic 19-01052First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1123First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1123First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Sweet Baby are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Epic 19-01052.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 19-01052, EPC A1123, ES 633, 46501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-168140-1D [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. and ZSS-168141-1D [flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
